IS THE UNCLEAN LAW FOR US TODAY?

 I was asked to read a booklet entitled "Why Strain at a Gnat and swallow a Camel?  Is the unclean law for us today?" 

The subject of the clean and unclean meats has been a very controversial subject for the Church of God (7th Day).  It has caused a big split in the organization around the early 1950s.  The unclean law this booklet is talking about is not the law of the clean and unclean animals to eat mentioned in scripture.

The doctrinal beliefs of the Church of God (Seventh Day), which I am a member, upholds the law of the clean and unclean animals for food.  This doctrine does not speak of the unclean laws, which the booklet says includes unclean animals consumed for food.  Yes there were unclean animals that were not to be sacrificed on the alters.  To me the Booklet is the one Straining at a Gnat and swallowing a Camel."  

It states that the "unclean law" (not clean and unclean animals to consume.) covers six major areas.  It lists them which were given to the Israelites and listed unclean things.  One on the list is touching a dead person or animal.  The booklet states that this "unclean law" should stand or fall in tact, or a good reason should be shown why part should be kept while the rest is discarded.  Me: I agree with that last statement.  I do not believe the unclean law and the clean and unclean laws are the same law.  

The problem facing us today is not one of reading labels to see if they say, "pure vegetable shortening", but rather are the principles included in the "unclean law" still in force today?  My answer to that is: the clean and unclean laws of meats is still for us today.  The unclean laws of animals to use on  an alter, and the touching of dead body's, etc. are no longer for us today.  Those unclean laws were for the Israelites.  When Jesus died on the Cross, all those laws were done away with.  I believe there are two different laws, one - unclean laws for living and two - clean and unclean laws for food.  The unclean laws in the Old Testament were for the people before Jesus' sacrificed himself on the cross.  There is no need to sacrifice on an alter after that time, those laws came to an end.  Jesus took our sins upon himself, he is the ultimate sacrificed lamb.  No more commands to do animal sacrifices.   

If we focus on one point and blow it up out of proportion, while completely ignoring the other five points do we not fall under Jesus' condemnation, when he said, "ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel." found in Matthew 23:24.  Why stress on one point so strongly as to make it a test of fellowship and a requisite for salvation, while treating the rest of the law as if it were of no consequence?  It wasn't intended to be used that way.   Your salvation depends solely on God's Amazing Grace.  In the doctrine of the COG7  it is one of God's commands for clean living and not one of the Ten Commandments.  

In the KJV Bible Matthew 23:24 is entitled (man's title) "Seven woes to the scribes and Pharisees."  Jesus is speaking to the multitude and his disciples.  He is telling them that the scribes and Pharisees are in authority (sit in Moses' seat).  Jesus' words, "Therefore whatever they bid you, observe and do, but do not "do" their works: for they say one thing, but do another."  What does this scripture have to do with the unclean law?  And which unclean law?  Meat or things?  Why stress on one point of the law and ignore the other?  This point I do agree with. 

It states: during the last two or three generations, especially among Sabbath-keepers, there has risen a new school of thought.  This school holds the view that the law which forbade the Israelites to consume certain meats is still valid, and should still be observed today. (I agree)  Does this mean the unclean laws were just for the Israelites?  I believe so.  The unclean law included unclean animals for sacrifice and were just for them. The clean and unclean laws for food were in effect before the Israelites even existed.  In the beginning God gave his people only herbs bearing seeds to eat.  They did not eat meat at this time.  At the time of Adam and Eve, God only gave them fruits and vegetables with seeds.  It makes sense to say that there was no need for clean and unclean law for food, until God gave them meat to eat.  

It isn't a sin to use unclean meats once unclean to the Israelites. (I disagree)  This was a natural course, since they thought it made no difference in the meats, believing God would receive both the one that ate unclean meats and they one that only ate the clean meats.  This is not a salvation issue.

We want to examine the "unclean" law as a whole.  (Notice it isn't the law of clean and unclean).  We want to examine the "unclean" law as a whole to see "when" it was given as well as to determine "what" areas were covered.  As a study on the Sabbath question (that wasn't the topic) would it not be complete without placing it in its proper setting among the other nine?  Me:  The unclean law is not part of God's Ten Commandments.  Even so a study of any portion of the "unclean" law should be received in its relation to the whole "unclean" law.  Me: Not the Ten Commandments. 

The "unclean law" was given as one unit.  The bible records the giving of the "unclean" law to Israel and is found in the 5th and 15th chapters of Leviticus.  This law covers six major areas, one area the  eating of unclean meats, animals and fowls classified as unclean.  They state that any one of the six areas could cause a "person" to be unclean, not animals.  Isn't it fair to state that this "unclean" law should stand or fall intact, or good reason should be shown why part should me kept while the rest done away with.  Me:  The "unclean" laws were done away with after Christ died.  This is not talking about the clean and unclean meats.  The ones who feel (believe?) the law is in effect today only observer the part that governs the eating of certain animals. Me: not just animals, birds and fish also.  The rest they say, is done away with.  Me:  The meat used for sacrifices were done away with.  The clean and unclean law for food still exists today and always will.

To prove this position there are two points that need to be established.  The first is that it was required before it was given to Israel in the wilderness, (I agree)  showing that it wasn't just part of the "added law; Galatians 3:19, which reads:  "Wherefore then serve the law?"  It was added because of transgression, till the seed should come (Jesus) to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator (Jesus).  (the added laws were the laws of Moses God gave him to lead the people while they were in the wilderness.)  These laws were given because the hardening of the hearts of the people, and their transgressions against God and his laws, I believe it was in force, to show that we are to keep the law of the clean and unclean "meats".  The second point is it was in force during the days of the apostles.  I agree.  To conclude we are to keep this law.  The first point should be establish and the second point "must" be proven.  (I believe both points were established and proven.)


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oklibrarianc@yahoo.com


Posted by *Starlight* March 5, 2026

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